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Vet reveals stomach-churning reason you should never flush your dog or cat's poop down the toilet
A vet has issued a grim warning to any pet owner who disposes of their cat or dog’s fecal waste down the toilet.
Most proud owners of a furry friend have envisioned a life where their feline or canine can actually use the toilet as Sir John Harington, the man behind the conception of the flushing lavatory, had intended.
Unfortunately, aside from the most exceptionally gifted pets, the vast majority haven’t grasped the concept, leaving owners to clear up their mess, with many thinking nothing of disposing of the waste down the toilet.
Vet reveals why you should never flush a pet's poo down the toilet
While flushing the pungent excrement down the toilet appears to be a fail-safe option, veterinary surgeon, known as @ben.the.vet on TikTok, has discussed the potential serious implications of disposing of the poop the human way.
In his social media post, which discusses the topic, Ben says, “Did you know that you are not supposed to flush your dog or cat’s poo down the toilet?
“This is because of the presence of toxocara, a worm parasite in animal feces, which is tolerant to the high temperatures and harsh conditions found in the final stage of processing used water.”
Ben, who was referencing an article published by British water company Anglian Water, which advises against flushing one’s pet’s poo down the toilet, added, “The reason toxocara is a worry, is because it is zoonotic, we can pick it up and children are particularly susceptible.”
What is the disease?
What is Toxocariasis?
Toxocariasis is an infection caused by Toxocara roundworms found in the feces of dogs and cats. Humans - especially young children - can accidentally ingest the tiny parasite eggs, which then hatch in the intestines and can migrate to various organs.
While many people show no symptoms, severe cases can lead to serious complications, including vision loss (ocular toxocariasis) or tissue inflammation in organs like the liver or brain (visceral toxocariasis).
Veterinary advice remains to frequently deworm your pets, but more importantly, never flush their feces down the toilet.